Wellington gain crucial points

Otago have fought valiantly, but couldn’t hold on to stop Wellington from getting first innings points during their two day match in Lincoln.

Otago came within a few overs of walking away with an outright draw, but were eventually all out for 314, still 86 runs short of Wellington’s total.

Wellington had made it tough for Otago by posting 400 all out on the first day of play. Innings from Henry Walsh of 163 and Brett Johnson with 77 made sure Otago were going to have to work very hard for them to not only get first innings points, but stop Wellington from claiming them as well.

It could have been very easy for Otago to collapse, but they showed that their batsmen too fancied their chances on this pitch.

Things looked good at 235 for four thanks to scores of 88 from Rhys Bayly and 62 from Tom Griffin. With that solid foundation the Southerners continued to dig deep as Hamish O’Brien made a sensible 45 from 127.

It wouldn’t be enough though as Wellington’s pressure became too much and wickets slowly came for the boys from the capital.

In the end Otago were all out for 314, despite one or two players in the tail scoring.

Niki Zivkovic was the best of the bowlers as he picked up figures of three for 35 from 2 overs.

It was important points for Wellington, but disappointing for Otago who had looked good in their first two day match against Canterbury.